[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14770-14771]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               125TH ANNIVERSARY OF SENECA, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the 125th 
anniversary of the founding of the community of Seneca, South Dakota. 
After 125 years, this agrarian community will have the chance to 
reflect on both its industrious history as well as the potential of its 
future.
  Beginning with a sod shanty that served as a stopping post as well as 
the local post office, Seneca began to thrive after the Chicago and 
Northwestern Railroad pushed west and created the town in 1886. After 
drawing

[[Page 14771]]

the name Seneca from a hat, the town immediately began to boom with 
local businesses being brought in from the surrounding towns. Seneca 
transitioned from a cattle range to a farming community, with 
progressive modern conveniences including a notable water system.
  This strong town has bound together throughout the years to 
accomplish whatever came their way. From sending engraved gold rings 
with their soldiers to World War I in 1917, to building a community 
center for one thousand dollars in 1937, the citizens of Seneca support 
their town and its people. This spirit of unity has sustained Seneca 
through one hundred and twenty-five years of changes and will support 
them as they move forward. I congratulate the people of Seneca on 
reaching this historic anniversary.

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